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You don't need much equipment. A gas or electric stove is required to melt the lead or other metal, and a ladle to hold and pour the molten lead. For making sinkers, especially the larger salt-water types, a big ladle is best. You also need lead which is usually used to make sinkers. Scrap lead can usually be obtained from a junk dealer. Alloys of lead and other metals, such as type metal, can also be used to make sinkers although you usually get best results with pure lead. Finally you need a mold of some sort. One of the easiest sinkers to make is the flat, oval type used for freshwater fishing or light salt-water angling. For a mold, use either an old teaspoon or tablespoon, depending on how big and heavy you want the sinker. Then melt the lead and pour it into the spoon. See Fig. 129. You control the size (and weight) of the sinker by regulating the amount of lead you pour. If the sinker sticks to the spoon, just wipe the spoon with an oily rag. After the sinkers are poured and cool, you drill or punch a hole in one end for the fishing line and the sinkers are finished. These flat sinkers hold bottom very well and do not roll in the current or tide. Figure 129. Using a spoon to make a sinker.
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